Article September 23, 1922 Issue

All Members of One Body

LOUISE M. TEWKSBURY

IN the chapter of Romans, Paul compares the relationship existing between individuals to that which exists between the different members of the human body. In the twelfth chapter of his first epistle to the Corinthians he shows it to be impossible for one to exist independently of the others, and that what afflicts one afflicts all. Applying this lesson to all human relationships, what wonderful enlightenment is thrown upon the problems of mankind to-day! What opportunities are presented for the healing ministry of the Christ, Truth, as brought to humanity in the teachings of Christian Science!

Multitudes of people throughout the world have proved the healing power of Christian Science in the healing of all manner of diseases; but the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, says in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 150), "These signs are only to demonstrate its divine origin,–to attest the reality of the higher mission of the Christ-power to take away the sins of the world." How, then, can sin and its resultant discords be healed? What is the remedy? We learn in Christian Science that the cause of all discord is some error of belief, or ignorance of God; and that its remedy is always the truth, or an understanding of God and man's relationship to Him. In the healing of a group of people, the truth about God and man must be realized and applied to the error of belief which causes the discord. In no case can harmony be realized by ignoring or glossing over the diseased belief. It must be uncovered and corrected. When it is understood that one part cannot be afflicted or oppressed without the whole finally becoming affected thereby, there will be tender care exercised to prevent any such affliction or oppression, and measures will be taken to heal any discordant condition which may have arisen.

When the sinful and mistaken belief, that one member can profit to the detriment of another member without producing discord from which all will suffer alike, is seen clearly for the mistake that it is, mankind will be ready for progress in the destruction of sin, the enemy of all mankind, the curse of the human race. To understand this clearly and begin to act in accordance therewith by healing,–that is, by destroying–sin, is to heal any body, whether it be the body of the individual, of the family, the church, the business or corporation, the city, state, nation, or the whole world. If this is the truth,–and it can be readily proved that it is,–its right application to every aggregation of members will be found to be the panacea for all ills. This is not a Utopian dream impossible of fulfillment, but it is practical, demonstrable Christianity. It is possible of fulfillment, and is, in fact, in process of fulfillment, because individual members of this world-body are being healed physically and morally through the application of Christian Science teaching to their specific problems and to their relationship with others.

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